On November 6, the Industry and Information Technology Department of China’s Hebei Province issued a notice stating that Hebei Province-based steelmaker Qian’an Jiujiang Wire Rod Co., Ltd. plans to put into operation two newly-built 1,250 cubic meters blast furnaces, with annual capacities of 2.3 million mt, two 100 mt electric furnaces, with annual capacities of 1.5 million mt, and one 120 mt converter with an annual capacity of 1.35 million mt.
Construction work on the blast furnaces and electric furnaces started on October 1, 2021, and they were put into operation on September 30 this year.
Construction of the converter in question started on September 30 this year, while it will be put into operation on August 30, 2024.
At the same time, Qian’an Jiujiang Wire Rod Co. and Tangshan Delong Iron and Steel have eliminated four blast furnaces and four converters, with annual capacities of 2.875 million mt and 3.5625 million mt, respectively.
Under China’s capacity replacement policy, the producer will be able to increase crude steel production as it has also added EAFs, which are allowed to be installed via the replacement of smaller existing BOF facilities.